Making its debut at the West Coast Monster Truck Nationals this year is the Raging Inferno, a fire engine that can incinerate a car with the thrust of its jet engine.

Courtesy photo

WHAT: West Coast Monster Truck Nationals

WHEN: Gates open at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at noon Sunday

WHERE: Tehama District Fair grounds in Red Bluff

TICKETS: Prices range from $10 for children to $25 for box seats.

CONTACT: Call the Red Bluff-Tehama County Chamber of Commerce at 527-6220 or go to www.rbmonsters.com for more information.

RED BLUFF — To many in Tehama County, the first weekend in October means only one thing — West Coast Monster Truck Nationals.

Dave Gowan, CEO of the Red Bluff Chamber of Commerce, said it's been a staple for 14 years, drawing up to 16,000 people for the three-day event at the Tehama District Fair grounds. It's a tremendous boost to businesses such as hotels, restaurants and gas stations, Gowan said.

"It really has a following," he said. "It has a whole culture of its own."

Ticket inquiries at the chamber precede the event by months, with people planning trips from as far away as Australia, he said. New to Red Bluff last year, Gowan attended his first monster truck show in 2010.

Making its debut at the show this year is the Raging Inferno, a fire engine that gives rides to a dozen children at a time during one part of the show, and incinerates a junk car with the thrust of its jet engine at the finale.

Dave Matthews, event director for Feld Inc. Motorsports Division, which puts on the show, said monster truck exhibitions have grown more mainstream.

"Truck and tractor pulling came along first, and sometimes mom and dad dragged their kids along," Matthews said. "The kids didn't want to watch something going 8 miles per hour, making a lot of noise."

The event plays to that young audience, making sure every child who wants an autograph or a photo taken with a driver or a truck gets one, either before the show or after.

"It's one of the things that has made the sport grow," Matthews said. "It's up close and personal. We are so spectator friendly, it's just unheard of."

A parade of the behemoth rigs, including Grave Digger and Maximum Destruction, is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. today downtown. Afterward, they'll converge on the parking lot behind the Palomino Room to mingle with fans, Gowan said.